Systems for storing and transporting ladings

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein systems for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, and the components thereof, including a tank having a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, a stationary support station including a first pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced from the first pair of support posts, the first and second support posts carrying first and second support structure respectively, the first and second support structures being shiftable between receiving positions and supporting positions, the tank bolsters and the support posts and the support structures being arranged so that the tank bolsters can be positioned upon the support structures when the support structures are in the supporting positions thereof, a road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and having a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, the tank bolsters and the body bolsters being arranged so that the tank bolsters can be positioned respectively on the body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced-apart a distance to receive the road vehicle therebetween with the tank mounted thereon when the support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on the frame for causing relative vertical movement between the tank and the support structures.

United States Patent (72] Inventors lra C. Eddy Mansfield, 14.;

William A. Taylor, Sharpsville, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 817,907 [22] Filed Apr. 21, 1969 [45] Patented [73] Assignee July 27, 1971 General American Transportation Corporation Chicago, 111.

[54] SYSTEMS FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza AttornQ-Prangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar & Vogel ABSTRACT: There is disclosed herein systems for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, and the components thereof, including a tank having a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, a stationary support station including a first pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced from the first pair of support posts, the first and second support posts carrying first and second support structure respectively, the first and second support structures being shiftable between receiving positions and supporting positions, the tank bolsters and the support posts and the support structures being arranged so that the tank bolsters can be positioned upon the support structures when the support structures are in the supporting positions thereof, a road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and having a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, the tank bolsters and the body bolsters being arranged so that the tank bolsters can be positioned respectively on the body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced-apart a distance to receive the road vehicle therebetween with the tank mounted thereon when the support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on the frame for causing relative vertical movement between the tank and the support structures.

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1. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof and spaced from said first bolster, each of said tank bolsters including a support plate for mounting said tank on said stationary support station and a chassis mount spaced from said support plate for mounting said tank on said road vehicle; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said support plates and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said support plates can be positioned respectively upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said chassis mounts and said body bolsters being arranged so that said chassis mounts can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with saId tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said support plates above said support structures to permit said support structures to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said support plates on said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to raise said support plates above said support structures to permit said support structures to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said support plates onto said support structures.
 2. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said support plates is spaced vertically from the associated chassis mount.
 3. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first tank bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second tank bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof and spaced from said first bolster, each of said tank bolsters including a support plate for mounting said tank on said stationary support station and a chassis mount offset longitudinally with respect to the associated support plate for mounting the adjacent end of said tank on said road vehicle; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said support plates and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said support plates can be positioned upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said chassis mounts and said body bolsters being arranged so that said chassis mounts can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said support plates above said support structures to permit said support structures to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said support plates on said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to raise said support plates above said support structures to permit said support structures to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operaTed to lower said support plates onto said support structures.
 4. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said support plates is spaced vertically from the associated chassis mount.
 5. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said support plates and each of said chassis mounts extend laterally across the associated tank bolster.
 6. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transferring said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, a first support bracket having one end thereof pivotally mounted on one of said first support posts and pivotal between a receiving position wherein the other end of said first support bracket is spaced from the other of said first support posts and a supporting position wherein said other end of said first support bracket is supported on said other first support post, a second support bracket having one end thereof pivotally mounted on one of said second support posts and pivotal between a receiving position wherein the other end of said second support bracket is spaced from the other of said second support posts and a supporting position wherein said other end of said second support bracket is supported on said other second support post, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support brackets being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support brackets when said support brackets are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and including a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support brackets are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support brackets; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support brackets to permit said support brackets to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said tank bolsters on said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support brackets to permit said support brackets to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support brackets.
 7. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 6, wherein said stationary support station further includes latch mechanism for locking said support brackets in the supporting positions thereof.
 8. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving saId tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, each of said tank bolsters including a support plate for mounting said tank on said stationary support station and a chassis mount spaced from said support plate for mounting said tank on said road vehicle and a jacking point spaced from both of said support plates and said chassis mount; said support including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said support plates and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said support plates can be positioned respectively upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and jack mechanism on said frame for engaging said jacking points to cause relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures and to cause relative vertical movement between said tank and said frame; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said jack mechanism is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures after which said support structures are moved from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and then said jack mechanism is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said jack mechanism is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures after which said support structures are moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said jack mechanism is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support structures.
 9. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 8, wherein said frame includes a first pair of jack mechanism mounted thereon adjacent the opposing ends of said first body bolster and in lateral alignment therewith and a second pair of jack mechanism mounted thereon adjacent the opposing ends of said second body bolster and in lateral alignment therewith.
 10. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first tank bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second tank bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, each of said tank bolsters including a pair of laterally spaced-apart support plates for mounting the adjacent end of said tank on said stationary support station, each of said tank bolsters also including a pair of chassis mounts spaced laterally inwardly and in lateral alignment with respect to the associated support plAtes for mounting the adjacent end of said tank on said road vehicle, each of said tank bolsters further including a pair of jacking points spaced from both said support plates and said chassis mounts, and in lateral alignment therewith; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting position thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and a jack mechanism on each of said body bolsters for engaging said jacking points to cause relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures and to cause relative vertical movement between said tank and said frame; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said jack mechanisms are operated to lift said tank bolsters from said support structures and to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures after which said support structures are moved from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and then said jack mechanisms are operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said jack mechanisms are operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structure after which said support structures are moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said jack mechanisms are operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support structures.
 11. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolsTer disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said frame and said support structures; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to lift said frame to raise said body bolsters into engagement with said tank bolsters and to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures after which said support structures are moved from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said frame until the road wheels thereof contact the underlying support surface, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to lift said frame to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures after which said support structures are moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said frame until said tank bolsters are positioned on said support structures and the wheels on said frame are in contact with the underlying support surface.
 12. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 11, wherein said lifting means comprises a jack mechanism mounted on said frame and adapted to lift said frame with respect to the underlying support surface.
 13. The system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 12, which includes a first pair of jack mechanism mounted adjacent one end of said frame and a second pair of jack mechanism mounted adjacent to the other end of said frame.
 14. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, each of said support posts including a support brace movable between a receiving position and a supporting position, each of said support braces including a housing closed at the top end thereof and open at the bottom end thereof and having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the associated support posts, said housing accommodating the associated support post in the open end thereof and adapted to be shiftably disposed upon said support post, an upper support wall extending laterally outwardly from the top end of said housing for supporting the associated tank bolster thereon, and a lower support wall extending laterally outwardly from the bottom end of said housing and in parallel relationship with said upper support wall, and a rigidifying web extending between said upper support wall and said lower support wall, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support braces being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support braces when said support braces are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and including a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support braces; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support braces to permit said support braces to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said tank bolsters on said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support braces to permit said support braces to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support braces.
 15. The system for storing and transporting tanks for containing ladings as set forth in claim 14, wherein said upper support wall further includes side guides extending upwardly from the opposing sides thereof and a centering guide mounted on and extending upwardly from said upper support wall and spaced from said side guides.
 16. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof; said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, each of said support posts including a support brace movable between a receiving position and a supporting position, a receiving positioning lug mounted on said support post and a supporting positioning lug mounted thereon and spaced from said receiving positioning lug, said receiving positioning lug and said supporting positioning lug being spaced slightly below said support brace, and said support brace including a locking bar having one end thereof pivotally mounted thereon at a pivot point and the other end thereof being freely movable, an upper positioning lug mounted on said support brace and spaced downwardly from and in vertical alignment with the pivot point of said locking bar, whereby to move said support brace from the receiving position thereof to the supporting position thereof said locking bar is pivoted upwardly to permit said support brace to rotate freely until said upper positioning lug is in vertical alignment with said supporting positioning lug after which said bar is pivoted downwardly and disposed between said upper positioning lug and said supporting positioning lug, and whereby in moving said support brace from the supporting position thereof to the receiving position thereof said locking bar is pivoted upwardly to permit said support brace to rotate freely until said upper positioning lug is in vertical alignment with said receiving positioning lug after which said locking bar is pivoted downwardly and disposed between said upper positioning lug and said receiving positioning lug, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support braces being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support braces when said support braces are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheel and including a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support braces to permit said support braces to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said tank bolsters on said body bolsters, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support braces to permit said support braces to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support braces.
 17. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first pair of support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting positions thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and including a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, lock mechanism for locking said tank bolsters on said body bolsters, said lock mechanism including first apertures disposed in said first tank bolster and second apertures disposed in said second tank bolster, first lockpins disposed on said first body bolster and second lockpins disposed on said second body bolster, each of said lockpins including a locking head disposed on the upper end thereof and being shiftable between a lock position when said locking heads are inserted into said apertures in said tank bolsters and a release position when said locking heads are removed from said apertures in said tank bolsters, whereby in locking the tank bolsters on said body bolsters said first and second lockpins and said locking heads are shifted upwardly to dispose said locking heads into and through said apertures in said tank bolsters after which said locking Heads are shifted into the lock positions thereof, and whereby in removing the tank bolsters from said body bolsters said locking heads are disengaged and withdrawn from said apertures and said tank bolsters and said locking pins are shifted downwardly from the lock positions thereof to the release positions thereof after which the tank bolsters can be removed from said body bolsters, and lifting means on said frame for causing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures to permit said support structures to move from the supporting positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said tank bolsters on said body bolsters after which said lock mechanism is engaged, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said lock mechanism is released and said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures to permit said support structures to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support structures.
 18. A system for storing and for transporting tanks for containing ladings, said system comprising a tank for containing ladings and a stationary support station for receiving said tank and a road vehicle for transporting said tank to and from said support station; said tank including a first bolster disposed adjacent to one end thereof and a second bolster disposed adjacent to the other end thereof, said support station including a first pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and a second pair of spaced-apart stationary support posts disposed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis and spaced longitudinally from said first pair of stationary support posts, said first pair of support posts carrying first support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position and said second support posts carrying second support structure shiftable between a receiving position and a supporting position, first lock mechanism for locking said tank bolsters on said support structures, said first lock mechanism including first apertures disposed in said first tank bolster and second apertures disposed in said second tank bolster, first lockpins extending upwardly from said first support structure and second lockpins extending upwardly from said second support structure, each of said lockpins being disposed within associated apertures when said bolsters are positioned upon said support structures, said tank bolsters and said support posts and said support structures being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned upon said support structures when said support structures are in the supporting position thereof; said road vehicle including a frame provided with road wheels and including a first body bolster disposed adjacent to one end of said frame and a second body bolster disposed adjacent to the other end of said frame, said tank bolsters and said body bolsters being arranged so that said tank bolsters can be positioned respectively upon said body bolsters, the support posts in each pair of support posts being spaced apart a distance to receive said road vehicle therebetween with said tank mounted on said frame when said support structures are in the receiving positions thereof, and lifting means on said frame for casing relative vertical movement between said tank and said support structures when said first lock mechanism is released; whereby in transferring said tank from said support station to said road vehicle said first lock mechanism is released and said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures to permit said support structures to move from the supporTing positions thereof to the receiving positions thereof and to permit placement of said tank bolsters on said body bolsters after which said second lock mechanism is engaged, and whereby in transferring said tank from said road vehicle to said support station said second lock mechanism is released and said lifting means is operated to raise said tank bolsters above said support structures to permit said support structures to be moved from the receiving positions thereof to the supporting positions thereof and then said lifting means is operated to lower said tank bolsters onto said support structures after which said first lock mechanism is engaged. 